Strategy Prepare For the Postal Hike

Test, test, test. This includes testing lighter-weight papers and using a self-cover vs. a heavier separate cover. A move to a slightly lighter basis weight paper should have no impact on results. Paper is sold by the pound, and if you use fewer pounds, you may save money. You'll save money on postage using lighter-weight paper for sure, provided your catalog mails at the pound rate. A simple change from a 34 lb, No. 5 basis weight to a 32 lb, No. 5 basis weight will save approximately $13,000 in postage mailing 1 million 80-page catalogs (at today's postage rates). (Refer to the chart "Paper Test: 34 lb vs. 32 lb" for the results from our recent test.)